MORE families will be at risk of losing their dogs this winter warns the Dogs Trust as almost 5,000 dog owners enquire about the charity’s handover service.

The stark warning comes as chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini budget is due to take place on Friday (September 23) but the cost-of-living crisis has already had an unprecedented impact on dog owners.

Dogs Trust CEO Owen Sharp said: “Dogs Trust has been receiving a shocking and unprecedented number of calls from dog owners asking us to take in their dogs because they feel they won’t be able to see them through this crisis. 

“Over the last month, we received on average 17 handover calls an hour from desperate owners feeling they’ve run out of options.”

The charity saw a 14 per cent increase in calls this July, a 26 per cent increase from August 2021.

A YouGov poll asked non-dog owners whether the cost-of-living crisis would prevent them from adopting or buying a dog. More than six out of ten people admitted it would.

Owen added: “Combine this with the fact that 65% of people in the Southwest told us, in our new cost of living poll, that they wouldn’t be prepared to take on a dog right now, and it’s clear to see we’re about to have a serious animal welfare issue on our hands.” 

In the poll, 45 per cent of dog owners believe it is now more difficult to give their dog all they need compared to before the cost-of-living crisis.

What's concerning dog owners?

Vets’ bills were at the top of the list with 55 per cent of dog owners citing this as a cause for concern. Eighteen per cent of dog owners were worried about the cost of insurance and 12 percent said that paying for dog food was a concern.

The Dog’s Trust is urgently seeking help for the dogs already affected by this crisis situation and are asking people with space in their homes and hearts to provide a forever home for big dogs, un-housetrained dogs and dogs that may have challenging behaviour.

If interested in providing a temporary home for a dog during this financial crisis, see the Dogs Trust website.

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